AKA “Playful City U.S.A.”Steers Were Here: Prior to 1970, when McCulloch Properties (now MCO Properties, Inc.) established the town, Fountain Hills was one of the largest cattle ranching areas in the state.

Preparing and serving a splendid margarita isn’t as easy as it looks. First rule: Dispense with any and all store-bought margarita mixes. That high-fructose sludge has no place in a discerning drinker’s glass. With that cardinal rule in mind, master mixologist Kris Korf from Scottsdale’s Citizen Public House offers this tutorial

Off-the-rack is A-OK when it comes to low-fat milk and tennis shoes. But when you want to treat yourself to a one-of-a-kind ware, the Valley has plenty of talented artisans at the ready.

Guitars from Atomic Guitar Works: You want crazy? Master luthiers Tim Mulqueeny and Harry Howard will give you crazy. “Once, we had a request for a double-necked guitar shaped like a dollar sign,” Mulqueeny says. “Most of the pieces we make are more sedate, but we can do the shock-and-awe stuff, too.” The duo handcrafts up to 110 electric guitars a year, from the $995 standard Atomic model to ground-up originals and complete customs ($2,500-$4,000). 8550 N. 91st Ave., Peoria, 623-878-4127, atomicguitarworks.com

Whether you’re relocating or just recreating, the Valley’s diverse and distinctive neighborhoods offer a host of haunts to explore. From family friendly enclaves to hidden historic ’hoods, plus meccas for outdoorsy types, foodies anD creatives, here are 30 of our favorite neighborhoods.

Whether you’re relocating or just recreating, the Valley’s diverse and distinctive neighborhoods offer a host of haunts to explore. From family friendly enclaves to hidden historic ’hoods, plus meccas for outdoorsy types, foodies an...